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Forum > Out of State Vehicle > Question

Buying a 1994 Honda Civic from Nevada. Should I get a Nevada emissions test?

I'm located in Sacramento, California. I'm purchasing a Honda Civic located 140 miles from where I live from Reno, Nevada NV. The seller says it passes smog inspection. Does he need to drive to California and obtain a smog certificate here in order for me to register the Honda in California. Or can he smog it in Nevada, where he is located and I take the smog certificate and try register it in california with that certificate. I just want now what the right thing to do is.
Answer:

Part of buying a car from out of state means having to take on the smog check responsibilities yourself. California law does state the seller of a vehicle is supposed to hand over a passing smog check certificate to the buyer during the transaction however it does not mention if the law applies to the seller of vehicle who is located out of state; and in this particular case I doubt this seller will be willing to come down to California to get a smog inspection... I may be wrong. At this point is seems if you choose to buy this Honda Civic you'll be taking on the smog test responsibilities. If the Honda fails the smog test, you may be taking on the smog check repair responsibilities as well. Do not obtain a Nevada smog check, or smoke test, or any Nevada emissions test. No emission test other then California's emission test will be accept for California vehicle registration purposes. Also, even if this Honda Civic passing a Nevada emissions test does not necessarily mean you'll pass the California emissions test. No additional emissions components are required to pass California smog test, however the test is much more intrusive. posted by SmogTips Support

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